I get asked this question all the time, Where do you come up with all the ideas for your TV show? The answer is as varied as the topics. The Sewing With Nancy team is the main source of inspiration. I also watch trends in magazines, plus get ideals from other authors, including friend Mary Mulari. As the most frequent guest on my show, she has a guaranteed spot on each season’s line-up. Not because of obligation, but because you love her techniques!

Each year I spend a 3-day retreat with Mary at her sewing studio. We review TV options, eat chocolate, talk, and shop—an all in all good time. During the TV review session, I can count on being shown a bin or basket of inspirational ideas.

This past January, Mary’s bins were filled with vintage aprons. A topic on aprons made a lot of sense. As often happens, what was in vogue in past decades, makes a revival—aprons are no exception.

Nancy’s Corner

Experiencing sewing and quilting in middle school may not seem very unique. Yet when learning the skill and researching the design takes place in a history class, you might inquire as I did about this project. Honor Quilts, are researched and made as part of Bob Gentilli’s history class in Belleville WI with the hope of “making a difference in the world.” Kristin O’Connor and Brian Weasner are two of the “Shakers”—otherwise known as the designers and promoters—and the “Makers”—students who spent time stitching the quilt—to share with us this unique learning opportunity.

Atwww.nancyzieman.comyou’ll find links to my Nancy’s Corner guests, you’ll be able to watch current Sewing with Nancy programs online, read my blog, and basically, you’ll be directed to all things Sewing with Nancy!

5 Comments

I wear a bib apron or smock when I am sewing and crocheting. We have pets and this helps eliminate stray pet hairs from attaching to my sewing and crochet projects.
So I am always looking for new apron ideas, thanks these are cool

MarieOctober 20, 2011

The apron blog brought back several memories. My grandmother always had an apron she made with a kitchen towel sewn into the (her) right front to wipe her hands – like the football quarterback! Another fond memory is my daughter baking with a vintage apron that was so big on her it covered her completely – and we have a precious photo! Lastly, I purchased bright blank aprons and embroidered/appliqued a heart with “WomenHeart” on the bib. Our support group wore them for a heart healthy eating event at the YMCA/WCA. Those red aprons caught lots of attention – of course the yummy snacks helped too!

I’m enjoying your blog Nancy. Now if I sleep in on Saturdays (our PBS station airs your show at 6AM) I can still get my sewing/quilting fix.

Marie, Kutztown, PA

Julie BlakeOctober 20, 2011

I always wear an apron, usually homemade by Mum! Maybe I should take this article as a hint that I need to sew at least a couple of new aprons – one for Mum!
Thanks Nancy for the nudge!